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Danish Entrepreneur Bids Highest for Eclipse Jet
Eclipse President Vern Rayburn passes keys to Wagner
14/09/2007
It's not everyday you can bid for a business jet on eBay. But that’s exactly what 35-year-old Internet entrepreneur Morten Wagner of Denmark did this past August.
It’s not everyday you can bid for a business jet on eBay. But that’s exactly what 35-year-old Internet entrepreneur Morten Wagner of Denmark did this past August.
Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of one of the world’s first very light jets (VLJs), auctioned its Eclipse 500 through the company’s private label online marketplace powered by eBay. The auction concluded when Wagner placed his winning bid of $1,833,945 at 2:00 am his time on August 11, 2007.
“I was just sitting there, holding my breath, watching the auction run out,” said Wagner. “When I saw I had won, I was delirious; I woke up the whole house and told everyone I just bought an aircraft on Eclipse’s private marketplace.”
The entrepreneur said he was determined to win the auction and was prepared to make another bid if he had to. Wagner, the founder of his company, Freeway, plans to use his Eclipse 500 for business travel throughout Europe, and to travel between his homes in London, Spain, and Denmark. Wagner said he started flying about a year and a half ago and has been following Eclipse Aviation ever since. He has already accumulated 462 hours and currently flies a Cirrus SR22.
“I’ve wanted an Eclipse 500 for a long time,” Wagner said. “To me, it’s top of the line, and the most beautiful aircraft around.”
Eclipse Aviation announced the auction of aircraft serial number 000038 on July 25. The auction went live on July 30 and concluded shortly after 8:00 pm EST on August 10. More than 200 people were registered on eBay to bid on the aircraft. There were a total of 15 bids amongst six bidders.
“The fact that we can sell an early Eclipse 500 on an open market for more than $1.8 million demonstrates the enormous demand for very light jets, and particularly for the aircraft that started it all and still offers the market’s best value proposition,” said Vern Raburn, President and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “It’s exciting to see that the winner is going to put his Eclipse 500 to great use in both his business and personal life.”
The normal acquisition cost of an Eclipse 500 is $1.52 million.
Eclipse Aviation, manufacturer of one of the world’s first very light jets (VLJs), auctioned its Eclipse 500 through the company’s private label online marketplace powered by eBay. The auction concluded when Wagner placed his winning bid of $1,833,945 at 2:00 am his time on August 11, 2007.
“I was just sitting there, holding my breath, watching the auction run out,” said Wagner. “When I saw I had won, I was delirious; I woke up the whole house and told everyone I just bought an aircraft on Eclipse’s private marketplace.”
The entrepreneur said he was determined to win the auction and was prepared to make another bid if he had to. Wagner, the founder of his company, Freeway, plans to use his Eclipse 500 for business travel throughout Europe, and to travel between his homes in London, Spain, and Denmark. Wagner said he started flying about a year and a half ago and has been following Eclipse Aviation ever since. He has already accumulated 462 hours and currently flies a Cirrus SR22.
“I’ve wanted an Eclipse 500 for a long time,” Wagner said. “To me, it’s top of the line, and the most beautiful aircraft around.”
Eclipse Aviation announced the auction of aircraft serial number 000038 on July 25. The auction went live on July 30 and concluded shortly after 8:00 pm EST on August 10. More than 200 people were registered on eBay to bid on the aircraft. There were a total of 15 bids amongst six bidders.
“The fact that we can sell an early Eclipse 500 on an open market for more than $1.8 million demonstrates the enormous demand for very light jets, and particularly for the aircraft that started it all and still offers the market’s best value proposition,” said Vern Raburn, President and CEO of Eclipse Aviation. “It’s exciting to see that the winner is going to put his Eclipse 500 to great use in both his business and personal life.”
The normal acquisition cost of an Eclipse 500 is $1.52 million.
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